Thick and Quick Toddler Socks

Anastasia Popova

These toddler socks are worked in worsted weight yarn making them quick to crochet. Thick and warm socks are great for wearing in snow boots or rain boots or just like sleepers around the house. This pattern is suitable for beginners as it only uses single crochet and chains, you need to know how to read and count your stitches though as there are increases and decreases involved.

The socks are worked from the toe up. Increases are made for the gusset and then the heel opening is created. Then the sock is worked up to the ankle. The cuff is then worked sideways around the ankle and the side is seamed up afterward. We use back loop single crochet stitches for the cuff, which creates the stretchy fabric to make it easier to put them on. Lastly, the heel is worked into the heel opening.

Note: Ribbing is worked sideways and attached to the sock at the end of every odd row.

Ch 9.

ROW 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across – 8 sts. To connect ribbing to the sock sl st into next two sts on the ankle (sl sts do not count as sts). Turn.

ROW 2: Working in back loops only, sc in each st across, turn.

ROW 3: Ch 1 (does not count as st), working through back loops only, sc in each st across. Sl st twice to connect ribbing to the sock, turn.

Repeat rows 2-3 around the ankle. Fasten off leaving 10″ long tail. With yarn needle sew the sides of the ribbing together.

Afterthought Heel

Place Ms at both corners of the heel opening. The first round is worked in the skipped sole sts, along opposite side of ch sts, and one extra st added at each M. With RS facing, join yarn anywhere along the edge of the heel opening.

Easy Crochet Hat

Anastasia Popova

Hats are one of my favorite projects to crochet. This hat is easy and quick to make. It is worked from the top down in spiral rounds so there is no need for chaining or joining rounds with slip stitches. The hat starts with four rounds of increases and then is worked straight down. The main stitch used is double crochet stitch and the hat is edged with reverse single crochet. I am using bulky weight yarn so the hat is very quick to make.

Wow! Thank You!! I am blown away by the response to my initial post and video about the Octo Project. I am glad to know it has touched so many people.

Based on the success of my original modified pattern I was inspired to create version 2.0.

This version uses the same yarn and the same techniques, however it creates a new variety of the octopus with a different body shape. Not better, not worse, but different. It is longer and a little wider. Variety is the spice of life crochet. So I proudly present octo 2.0.

Skills Required:

Basic stitches (single crochet)

Adjustable ring

Increases

Decreases

Crocheting in the round

Basic sewing

Finished Measurements: About 8″ tall. Head circumference is about 8″. Curled up tentacles are about 4-5″ long, fully stretched cannot exceed 8″ for safety reasons.

Yarn: Worsted weight 100% cotton yarn.

I would recommend not using mercerized cotton as it is treated with chemicals to make yarn shinier. I would also recommend not using yellow color for preemies (bad juju). I have used Sugar n’ Cream which can be purchased at any big box craft store. It’s inexpensive, readily available and comes in a lot of colors. It could be a little hard on your hands as it needs to be crocheted at a tight gauge. Another great option that I will mostly be using is Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Cotton, very soft, great color selection.

Octo Project is a worldwide project that has crafters help preemies thrive by crocheting octopuses for babies in the NICU. The tentacles of the octopus resemble the umbilical cord and remind babies of the womb and comfort.

This is a modified crochet pattern by Anastasia Popova to the original Octo Project pattern. Changes are made to accommodate worsted weight yarn and eliminate seeming.

Skills Required:

Basic stitches (single crochet)

Adjustable ring

Increases

Decreases

Crocheting in the round

Basic sewing

Finished Measurements: About 8″ tall. Head circumference is about 7″. Curled up tentacles are about 4-5″ long, fully stretched cannot exceed 8″ for safety reasons.

Yarn: Worsted weight 100% cotton yarn.

I would recommend not using mercerized cotton as it is treated with chemicals to make yarn shinier. I would also recommend not using yellow color for preemies (bad juju). I have used Sugar n’ Cream which can be purchased at any big box craft store. It’s inexpensive, readily available and comes in a lot of colors. It could be a little hard on your hands as it needs to be crocheted at a tight gauge. Another great option that I will mostly be using is Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Cotton, very soft, great color selection.

Recent Comments

I am obsessed with making these adorable octopuses! It is a great take-along project to work on while waiting or riding, etc. I use a smaller hook for the “head” and one size up for the tentacles so that tiny fingers can grab on – for me, the smaller hook made them too tight.

Brenda

I used this pattern to make several octopi and then contacted the University of Chicago hospital to see if they would accept them. I was referred to the Facebook page mentioned above and found out that they have different, stricter standards for: yarn, hook size, must be made in two parts, and must be stuffed to be very hard, etc. I don’t think my hands can take the stress of making them to those standards, so we are finding other places to donate the ones that my sister-in-law and I made. They are fun to make!